Reform Parley Calls for Action on Soviet Bias; Morse Elected to Head Trustees

November 17, 1967

MONTREAL (Nov. 16)

The 49th biennial assembly of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, congregational body of Reform Judaism, closed here today after adopting a series of resolutions on foreign, domestic and congregational matters and referring others to its board of trustees for action.

The board, governing body of the UAHC between biennial assemblies, will consider those resolutions that did not reach the Assembly floor owing to the time consumed by debate on Viet Nam, draft liberalization and other resolutions. Up for action by the board, whose newly-elected chairman is Ear) Morse, a New York food manufacturer, are the following resolutions on foreign matters:

A call to all affiliated congregations to work in concert with other Jewish organizations associated in the American Jewish Conference on Soviet Jewry to mobilize public opinion and petition Congress to act against anti-Jewish discrimination in the Soviet Union;

Support of United Nations Secretary-General Thant’s proposals that mainland China be admitted to the U.N., calling for United States initiatives toward a new China policy;

Strengthening and expansion of the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, strengthening of the Food for Peace bill, and support of the U.N. Conference on trade development; and strengthening of the U.N. through ratification of the conventions on genocide, slavery, forced labor, the political rights of women and the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination.

On domestic matters, the board of trustees will consider resolutions demanding abolition of the House Committee on un-American Activities, supporting the reappointment decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court, supporting the war on poverty and condemning racial, religious and economic ghettoes, urging passage of the Administration’s Civil Rights bill and urging action to end the causes of crime and improve law enforcement by constructive reforms of police departments and agencies.

On the congregational side are resolutions instructing the Board to develop guidelines for the establishment of new congregations and branch activities, and to abolish inequities in the assessment of dues and taxes on affiliated congregations.